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Doc Rivers welcomed by Los Angeles Clippers players

The Los Angeles Clippers made headlines over the weekend when they hired Doc Rivers as their new head coach, inking him to a three-year deal worth $21 million. The Clippers had to part ways with an unprotected

With former Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers about to take over, some Los Angeles Clippers can breathe a sigh of relief.

The Clippers' players were following the on-again, off-again negotiations with Boston for Rivers, reading that he was in the mix for the job along with candidates such as Byron Scott, Lionel Hollins and Brian Shaw. Now that it's settled, and Rivers will get a three-year deal worth $21 million to coach the team — with the Clippers giving up an unprotected 2015 first-round pick so that Boston would let Rivers out of his contract — the team can move forward.

"I think the Clippers organization is showing that they'll do whatever they think needs to be done to put us in a position to compete for a championship," Clippers guard Jamal Crawford said in a text message to USA TODAY Sports. "Obviously, Doc is one of the top coaches in the league and has championship pedigree. This should be fun!"

Rivers and the Celtics met the Los Angeles Lakers twice in the NBA Finals, winning in 2008 and losing in seven games in 2010. Clippers center Ronny Turiaf played for the Lakers in 2008.

"Proven winner," Turiaf said in a text message to USA TODAY Sports. "Love the holistic approach to the game of basketball. I still have nightmares about losing to him in 2008 in the Finals."

If there's any doubt that this is a blockbuster hire for the Clippers, consider that Rivers is one of four active head coaches who has won an NBA championship along with Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs, Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat and Rick Carlisle of the Dallas Mavericks.

Rivers could be an upgrade from the recently fired Vinny Del Negro, who served as the Clippers' coach for the past three seasons. Not only did Rivers coach the Celtics to an NBA title in 2008, he kept the team in contention in recent years despite dealing with devastating injuries and aging stars. He has coached his team to the playoffs in 10 of his 13 full seasons, and he has a career winning percentage of .554 in the regular season and .529 in the postseason. He won the NBA Coach of the Year Award in 1999-2000.

"From what I hear, he's a great man that demands respect, one of high character [who] stands on principle," Clippers forward Caron Butler said in a text message to USA TODAY Sports. "He's a great player's coach and he rewards hard work. I'm glad he's here. Hopefully we all can have our fingerprints on bringing a title to L.A."

Rivers' arrival could persuade unrestricted free agent Chris Paul to remain in Los Angeles rather than test free agency on July 1. Paul is unquestionably the Clippers' catalyst and he reportedly gave the organization a nudge or two when talks with the Celtics stalled. He clearly wanted Rivers coaching the team, and it's easy to see why.

Now, the Clippers have the necessary star power — on the court and on the sideline — to contend for championships in the years to come.

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